News

Survey shows average resident in Waltham Forest is overweight

THE average borough resident is clinically overweight, according to new research.

New data indicates that the average borough resident has a Body Mass Index (BMI) – which is used to measure fat - of 26.1, whereas a healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 25.

Epping residents also recorded an average of 26.1, putting them at risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes.

The BMI data was taken from a survey by Slimming World and YouGov, which polled a nationally representative sample of more than 2,000 people about their height and weight and eating habits.

Slimming World manager for Waltham Forest and Epping, Christine Elliott, said: “The statistics are shocking and what is more worrying is their impact on our communities.

“Weight is a worry for so many of us. It affects how we feel, our happiness and wellbeing. Those who are overweight know they ought to do something about it, but many just don’t know where to turn
for help.”

The survey revealed more than half of Londoners are overweight or obese.

Slimming World has launched a campaign to encourage people to lose even a small amount of weight, to help reduce the risks of obesity related conditions.

Comments (6)

Hummm.....now I'm no scientist but doesn't fast food = weight gain? And we've got more of these kind of food places than almost anywhere else in London. Oh but we're stopping those kind of outlets opening, aren't we? Perhaps if we had some decent places to eat (preferably without cockroaches and mouse droppings)....

Hummm.....now I'm no scientist but doesn't fast food = weight gain? And we've got more of these kind of food places than almost anywhere else in London. Oh but we're stopping those kind of outlets opening, aren't we? Perhaps if we had some decent places to eat (preferably without cockroaches and mouse droppings)....Nairn

Perhaps the Council needs to look at encouraging residents to walk or cycle more rather than driving a few hundred metres to the local shops by improving the environment for these healthy activities rather than making it easier to park outside shops.

Perhaps the Council needs to look at encouraging residents to walk or cycle more rather than driving a few hundred metres to the local shops by improving the environment for these healthy activities rather than making it easier to park outside shops.SteveW1000

A new fast food joint opened directly across the road from the primary school in Wood Street - six months after the council's so-called ban. It offers 3 pieces of chicken for a pound. I put it to our useless local councillor, who a) didn't know about it, and b) said they can't stop takeaway shops opening if the premises has existing A3 permission. We said 'can't you change that rule?' He said 'maybe, we've never thought about it'. Unbelievable.

A new fast food joint opened directly across the road from the primary school in Wood Street - six months after the council's so-called ban. It offers 3 pieces of chicken for a pound. I put it to our useless local councillor, who a) didn't know about it, and b) said they can't stop takeaway shops opening if the premises has existing A3 permission. We said 'can't you change that rule?' He said 'maybe, we've never thought about it'. Unbelievable.chrisbo

These results are too simplistic.
Without a breakdown of the results by age and ethnicity of the cohort no real conclusions can be drawn.
For many cultures fat is the norm, and even desirable. And we know how racially mixed WF is.
Older people of any race will probably weigh more than during their youth.

These results are too simplistic.
Without a breakdown of the results by age and ethnicity of the cohort no real conclusions can be drawn.
For many cultures fat is the norm, and even desirable. And we know how racially mixed WF is.
Older people of any race will probably weigh more than during their youth.myopinioncounts